Depot repair Macbook Pro 15'' mid 2010

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Level 1

10 points

Depot repair Macbook Pro 15'' mid 2010

So it seems that my Macbook Pro Logic Board might be failing.
In add to that, my fans and my battery had to be replaced as well.
I also have the "well known" issue with the graphic card that makes the system crash when performing certain actions.

All of those repairs will cost for sure a new macbook and of course it's not worth spending 500$ only for the Logic Board when I have other problems going on.
I have been reading a lot of articles and discussions where they say that Apple offers a 310$ flat rate that covers all hardware repairs, called "Depot Repair".

However, I contacted the apple support and they told me that this flat rate is applicable just at iPhones and not to Macbooks, even though all the articles and discussion I have been reading were referring to notebooks.

Do you know if that is true? And if that, how can I demand it?

My Macbook is out of warranty and was purchased in Italy. However I am now in New York (I read that this particular Depot Repair is happening just in USA and Japan).

Thank you!

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2010), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), 2,53 Ghz Intel Core i5

Posted on Jan 31, 2016 6:39 AM

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Answer 1

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jan 31, 2016 9:46 AM in response to f_adri

If you are asking Apple to repair it and Apple gave you an answer ... that must be the correct answer.

We are simply other Mac users like yourself and depend on Apple for answers on how much it would be for Apple to make a repair.

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Answer 2

f_adri Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 31, 2016 10:37 AM in response to Duane

Of course. I was just making sure since I read so much about this Depot Repair that it seemed weird to me that they didn't know what I was talking about.
Just wanted to hear the experience of who already received that and how they got it.

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jan 31, 2016 11:49 AM in response to f_adri

f_adri wrote:

However, I contacted the apple support and they told me that this flat rate is applicable just at iPhones and not to Macbooks, even though all the articles and discussion I have been reading were referring to notebooks.

Do you know if that is true? And if that, how can I demand it?

That is not true, but it may be only for MBPs purchased in the USA, That is a guess of mine but I have had a depot repair for one of my MBPs. In addition, if there is user induced damage, that may also disqualify it for a depot repair. You need to ask the right questions or speak to a manager for a definitive answer.

Ciao.

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Answer 4

f_adri Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 31, 2016 11:49 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

So Depot Repair is a thing.
Now what I need to know is what the requirements are.
I know that apparently it's a program running in USA and in Japan only and of course having an "italian" Macbook Pro might disqualify me.
The thing that amazed me is that the chat operator didn't know what I was talking about.. But then she gave me the uk website to schedule a genius bar appointment, which make me think that she is not operating from USA, where they might be aware of the Depot Repair.

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Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jan 31, 2016 11:59 AM in response to f_adri

f_adri wrote:

So Depot Repair is a thing.

Absolutely, at least in the USA. You will have to find out what the caveats are where you are located. Best of luck. 🙂

Ciao.

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Answer 6

f_adri Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 31, 2016 12:01 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I am in New York.
I hope that someone could give me more infos on how to request that.

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Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jan 31, 2016 12:08 PM in response to f_adri

f_adri wrote:

I am in New York.
I hope that someone could give me more infos on how to request that.

Go to an Apple store and request to talk to a manager. That is your best opportunity to get definitive information.

Ciao.

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Answer 8

f_adri Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 3, 2016 4:23 AM in response to f_adri

I am writing this here in case it could help someone.

Depot repair is a thing.

I went to the Apple store in NYC yesterday and they checked what was wrong with my notebook. It was the Logic Board, which repairing would have been 500$+. So he told me that for 310$ they would repair everything wrong with my notebook. I told them that my HD didn't need a repair and the price went down to 159$.

Now, a little bit of requirements for being eligible (from what I understood):

- Repairing the problem have to be more expensive than 310$ (not sure if many little problems will make possibile the depot repair);
- It only runs in USA and Japan (I think);
- It doesn't matter where the lapotop was purchased, as mine is purchased in Italy and they knew it;
- No need to be under warranty or anything (as I am not and they knew it);

- All the parts in the laptop needs to be original (My HD was replaced with a Seagate SSHD and they told me that I had to put back the failed original HD).

And that's it. If the requirements are satisfied they will send it to the depot and they will go trough everything in your Macbook hardware and will fix whatever they find having a problem.

Just wanted to say that I have been thinking a lot to leave Apple due the high cost of its products (I need to change a charger each year basically and those things are expensive.. It's not easily upgradable, and so on)... But this Depot Repair totally will bring me in again. Apple totally wins with the program!

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